Churches will soon open doors but each Christian will need wisdom for when to re-gather. Will social distance church match the safety of virtual church? Will it be more awkward? Will SDC be song-less? Touch-less? Masks required? Communion plates passed?

What health vulnerabilities do each member factor into attendance? Should full attendance for the most vulnerable be connected to a vaccine? How long can VC and SDC people both be served simultaneously, and how long can they overlap before congregational division ensues?

Will people choose to leave a VC for a SDC, or the other way around? It seems like a slate of conscience questions are about to get unleashed.

Given social distancing expectations inside a church (6 feet), our distance from a vaccine (12 months), and the wide variance of opinions dividing America on re-opening, I think it’s safe to assume most churches should expect be a hybrid VC/SDC for the next year.

But knowing how we like to pick sides and morally grandstand our choice side as the best way to serve others (VC) or display faith (SDC), it’ll be really interesting to see if a hybrid church can actually hold together. That’ll require grade-A pastoral tact.

Sorry. One last thing. Both VC and SDC are dehumanizing. Waiving from six feet away and smiling behind a mask is not Christlike embodiedment. Both forms of “gathering” mute our fellowship in detrimental ways that cannot be tolerated beyond what is absolutely necessary. Done.